迎接新一年的開始，不知道大家選好新的手帳沒有？
什麼！你說這年頭怎麼還有人那麼古板，一筆一劃地用紙筆記事，用手機不就好了嗎？
實在不想重複類比記事，比起數位記事的優勢，而寧可說一些形而上的理由，比方說是每次旋開筆蓋，將筆尖按在滑順的紙上，不用被手機的推送和訊息分心，心無旁騖地以個人的筆跡記下工作和心情，寫完徐徐把手帳闔上，宛如一場嚴肅的儀式，為記事者帶來一份微妙的安心感；而正是這份安心感，令許多人至今仍固執地以紙筆記事，甚至是使人開歷史倒車，從數位回歸傳統的記事方式。
Does everybody have a new planner to ring in the New Year?
You might think nobody uses a physical planner to write down their appointment anymore, since we can use our phones for the job. But, think again.
Handwritten planning has its charm too, perhaps it may not be as practical, but the sense of ritual is incomparable. Every time the tip of a pen glides on smooth paper, you can plan out and record your work and sentiments without any distractions of mobile notifications. This habitual action gives users a subtle peace of mind, and it is exactly why some people still “go retro” with their pen and paper to make notes and plan their day.
「能率手帳」是一本在1949年發行的手帳，原本只為民間經濟發展組織「日本能率协会」的會員內部使用，直到1958年開始對外推廣販售，曾經是在人手一本的日本國民級手帳。而如果從出生時份算起，它儼然已踏入「中老年」了，手帳格式也是最傳統的年曆、月記事、週記事，另附度量衡換算和JR路線圖等資訊，是現今手帳商品不再備載的資訊格式。
至於說到「能率手帳」最過人之處，倒是在老文具予人的安心感。沉實的仿皮黑封面，奶油色的頁紙，封面上頭還有燙金的年份；而其實不僅是封面，就連每頁的頁邊也有上金漆，老派的優雅感顯露無遺。在尺寸方面「能率手帳」分為基本裝及小本裝，前者利於書寫，後者利於攜帶，兩者統一是174頁，能把你一整年的奮鬥都盡悉記錄其中。
誠然這本手帳從開發至今，外形及格式近乎不變，而肯定有人覺得這是不思進取的表現，但我倒是有另外的想法；那是在這瞬息萬變的年代，人們要適應的事情著實太多了，選一件能替你分憂的工具何妨老派一點？有時候最古板的，用起來反而才最安心，感覺就如同跟老朋友聚首碰頭，重又懷著那份熟悉的好心情，去迎接這全新的一年。
Noritsu Techo Planners first launched in 1949. It was originally only for members of the Japan Management Association. Beginning 1958, the association started selling in retail, and the planner became a nationally popularized item. The planner is currently “middle-aged”, from traditional annual calendar, monthly notes, and weekly notes, to weights and measures conversions and JR map, it offers formats that current notebook products do not.
The greatest attribute of Noritsu Techo Planners has to be the texturized touch of old school stationary. From the solid black faux leather cover with gold stamped year, cream coloured pages, to the gilded edges, every detail exudes nostalgic elegance. In terms of size, the Noritsu Techo Planners come in basic and small pocket sizes. The former gives more room for writing, the latter is more portable. Both come with 174 pages for you to record down your exciting year.
The planner has been kept the same ever since its launch. Some might think there is no improvement, but I believe in the contrary. In our ever-changing world, we have to adapt constantly. Occasionally something old school and consistent give you that peace of mind, just like when you meet up with an old friend. Why not welcome this New Year with a sense of familiarity and positivity?
